Guest of Pittsburgh Pirates taken to hospital after serious medical emergency on the field
The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that a guest encountered a medical emergency while present at their training grounds. The incident occurred on the morning of Feb. 21, 2023 at Field 1 of Pirate City, the Pirates Spring Training facility in Bradenton, Florida.
The person involved was named only as "a guest" of the team. It is believed that he suffered a sudden medical emergency this morning while shagging fly balls during Pirates batting practice.
Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic was at the facility in Bradenton when the incident occurred. He reported that the person involved was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and was invited to shag fly balls during morning batting practice by virtue of his local significance.
Per the Pirates, this morning a guest at spring training endured a medical event while shagging fly balls. He’s alert and responsive after being attended to by medical personnel and is being transported to a local hospital.
"Per the Pirates, this morning a guest at spring training endured a medical event while shagging fly balls. He’s alert and responsive after being attended to by medical personnel and is being transported to a local hospital." - Jason Mackey
The person in question was helped into an ambulance and brought to a local hospital. Pittsburgh Pirates fans could be heard cheering and clapping as the ailing man was carried away to get the medical attention that he needed. The man's identity and his medical file are not currently known to outside observers.
Biertempfel also reported that Dr. Patrick DeMeo administered CPR to the man after he collapsed. He and other Pittsburgh Pirates medical personnel were the first responders when the unexpected episode came to pass. DeMeo has served as the Pittsburgh Pirates' medical director since 2000.
There’s a medical incident in CF on Field 1 at Pirate City. From my vantage point, Dr. Patrick DeMeo appears to be giving CPR. Ambulance is en route
"There’s a medical incident in CF on Field 1 at Pirate City. From my vantage point, Dr. Patrick DeMeo appears to be giving CPR. Ambulance is en route" - Rob Biertempfel
The Pirates will kick off their 2023 preseason this Saturday, Feb. 25, against the Toronto Blue Jays. They will finish spring training at the end of March before flying to Ohio to take on the Cincinnati Reds on March 30.
Pittsburgh Pirates fan incident puts the game in perspective
The man who suffered the medical episode was reportedly in stable condition before being transported to a local hospital. The players resumed their practice routine after the man was taken away in the ambulance.
Although emotions can run high during MLB games, it is important to keep things in perspective. When serious things like this happen, it certainly puts our own fragility in perspective.